femme Posted December 7, 2004 Posted December 7, 2004 (Not sure where this belongs. It can be moved where appropriate.) How serious of an issue is it if your SO makes a big deal about you not giving up your citizenship after you move in with him/her? Many countries don't allow dual nationality. If that's the case, and you're not willing to give up your citizenship, is it justified for your SO to be upset because you're not willing to give it up FOR his/her sake? Am I making sense here? Secondly, how many of you would be willing to give it up for your SO?
Anais Posted December 7, 2004 Posted December 7, 2004 Why would one want SO to give up the citizenship? Is there a reason for it? Maybe otherwise they cannot live together or there should be a reason? Just trying to understand. It all depends why he wants me to give it up.
SoleMate Posted December 8, 2004 Posted December 8, 2004 femme, I have to question why you are asking strangers about what you and your SO should be feeling or getting upset about. The real question for you - I hope - is not what is the "right way to think", but what you and your SO can both live with. Here are some facts and ideas: 1) Many people in this world are very proud of and very connected with their countries of birth, and feel a great deal of pride. They would be reluctant to give up citizenship just because it seems like a loss of identity and pride 2) For some people, there are substantial practical reasons - maybe related to travel, work permits, taxes, military obligations - why one citizenship would be preferable to another 3) Even if only one country recognizes dual nationality, it may be worth claiming it. E.g. the US does not recognize dual nationality, Mexico does, as of 1998. So the US would treat that person as purely a US citizen, but the Mexican government would treat them as a dual citizen. Obviously, get legal advice if you want to try this 4) Your SO can ask you to give up anything - become a vegetarian, cut your hair, stop smoking, stop going to church, stop voting, stop leaving the cap off the toothpaste, cancel your gym membership, quit work, stop using pornography , stop dating other people . Some of these requests might be reasonable to some people in some circumstances. I personally would look at individual factors... 5) BUT...if my SO asked me to give up something that was important to me...he better have a DARN good reason. And it would be subject to a loving negotiation, just like EVERY other part of our relationship that was not agreed on. Give and take. This can be amazingly easy when two reasonable people with compatible values are working on it, or almost IMPOSSIBLE if someone is dogmatic, or doesn't listen well. 6) If you can't negotiate a setup that feels good to both of you, before you get married, then...don't get married. 7) If this is not marriage, but just a live-in arrangement, then...HECK NO! I'm keeping my citizenship, thank you very much.
soccorsilly Posted December 8, 2004 Posted December 8, 2004 Significant other? WOW, ask an attorney experienced in immigration law. I have heard all sorts of horror stories--usually with kids about a parent taking them to a birth country and not bringing them home and the birth country protecting the parent. Could it be possible that you are renouncing US to live in say the UAE? Are you losing rights there? Could you come back? Could you be imprisoned? Think this one through VERY carefully
moimeme Posted December 8, 2004 Posted December 8, 2004 If that's the case, and you're not willing to give up your citizenship, is it justified for your SO to be upset because you're not willing to give it up FOR his/her sake? Am I making sense here? Sure you're making sense and no, it is not at all justified for the SO to get upset about this. Maybe he considers it a lack of commitment to him on your part. Explain to him why it's not. Secondly, how many of you would be willing to give it up for your SO? Not me. I believe we can hold dual and that's what I'd do, if it didn't cause me trouble. Sometimes it is a lot easier to travel on one passport than another.
dyermaker Posted December 8, 2004 Posted December 8, 2004 If you are from the U.S., it's harder to give up your citizenship than you'd think. http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4_229.html
Author femme Posted December 8, 2004 Author Posted December 8, 2004 SoleMate, sometimes it helps to get an opinion from a third party. Maybe I'm missing something or overreacting. Seeing the situation from another person's perspective, and their thoughts can help you make a better judgement/decision. Anyway, I did some research and found out it's not a big deal. The country I'm a citizen of and the one I'll be moving to, both, recognize dual nationality. *whew*
HokeyReligions Posted December 8, 2004 Posted December 8, 2004 Originally posted by dyermaker If you are from the U.S., it's harder to give up your citizenship than you'd think. http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4_229.html WOW! Thanks, that is a very cool description. (envisioning 'fecal matter creek' now. ) One last data point you might find interesting. In 1991 a survey asked two thousand U.S. citizens, "What are you willing to do for $10 million?" Twenty-five percent of this very classy group said they'd abandon their families; 23 percent said they'd become a prostitute for a week. Only 16 percent said they'd renounce their U.S. citizenship.
Barby Posted December 8, 2004 Posted December 8, 2004 I think I would be really concerned if my S/O wanted me to give up my citizenship (if the country reconized dual cit.) anyway to me it seems more like a control issue. Maybe he wants you to do this so you'll have to depend on him more?
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